James Menard takes the stand

James Menard, 24 takes the stand during his trial on January 13, 2011 for the third day of his trial for the murder of Jake Couture on January 1, 2010. The trial continues Friday at 9 a.m. at the Collier County Courthouse. Menard faces a maximum life sentence in prison if convicted of second-degree murder in the case. Prosecutors recently added third degree-murder to the list of charges Menard faces, along with two counts of attempted second-degree murder and two counts of armed trespass. Manuel Martinez/Staff.

Craig Couture and Danae Couture listen to testimony during the second day of the trial for James Menard, 24, for the shooting of their son Jake Couture on January 1, 2010. The trial continues Friday at 9 a.m. at the Collier County Courthouse. Menard faces a maximum life sentence in prison if convicted of second-degree murder in the case. Prosecutors recently added third degree-murder to the list of charges Menard faces, along with two counts of attempted second-degree murder and two counts of armed trespass. Manuel Martinez/Staff.

Yubey Figueroa a CSI officer with the Collier County Sheriffs Department shows the jury the door belonging to the home of Brandon Morales, which was collected as evidence after being riddled with bullets on January 1, 2010. The apartment was the scene of the shooting, and the door appeared as evidence during the trial for James Menard, 24, for the shooting of their son Jake Couture on January 1, 2010. The trial continues Friday at 9 a.m. at the Collier County Courthouse. Menard faces a maximum life sentence in prison if convicted of second-degree murder in the case. Prosecutors recently added third degree-murder to the list of charges Menard faces, along with two counts of attempted second-degree murder and two counts of armed trespass. Manuel Martinez/Staff.

James Menard, 24 takes the stand during his trial on January 13, 2011 for the third day of his trial for the murder of Jake Couture on January 1, 2010. The trial continues Friday at 9 a.m. at the Collier County Courthouse. Menard faces a maximum life sentence in prison if convicted of second-degree murder in the case. Prosecutors recently added third degree-murder to the list of charges Menard faces, along with two counts of attempted second-degree murder and two counts of armed trespass. Manuel Martinez/Staff.

James Menard, 24 sits in the courtroom on January 13, 2011 for the third day of his trial for the murder of Jake Couture on January 1, 2010. The trial continues Friday at 9 a.m. at the Collier County Courthouse. Menard faces a maximum life sentence in prison if convicted of second-degree murder in the case. Prosecutors recently added third degree-murder to the list of charges Menard faces, along with two counts of attempted second-degree murder and two counts of armed trespass. Manuel Martinez/Staff.

James Menard, 24 describes to the prosecution how the safety worked on the gun he used on January 1, 2011, during the third day of his trial for the murder of Jake Couture. The trial continues Friday at 9 a.m. at the Collier County Courthouse. Menard faces a maximum life sentence in prison if convicted of second-degree murder in the case. Prosecutors recently added third degree-murder to the list of charges Menard faces, along with two counts of attempted second-degree murder and two counts of armed trespass. Manuel Martinez/Staff.

James Menard, 24 takes the stand during his trial on January 13, 2011 for the third day of his trial, for the murder of Jake Couture on January 1, 2010. The trial continues Friday at 9 a.m. at the Collier County Courthouse. Menard faces a maximum life sentence in prison if convicted of second-degree murder in the case. Prosecutors recently added third degree-murder to the list of charges Menard faces, along with two counts of attempted second-degree murder and two counts of armed trespass. Manuel Martinez/Staff.

James Menard, 24 stands with his defense attorney, Timothy Moffitt, during the testimony at his trial for the murder of Jake Couture on January 1, 2010. The trial continues Friday at 9 a.m. at the Collier County Courthouse. Menard faces a maximum life sentence in prison if convicted of second-degree murder in the case. Prosecutors recently added third degree-murder to the list of charges Menard faces, along with two counts of attempted second-degree murder and two counts of armed trespass. Manuel Martinez/Staff.

Couture's two Aunts listen to testimony during the second day of the trial for James Menard, 24, for the shooting of their son Jake Couture on January 1, 2010. The trial continues Friday at 9 a.m. at the Collier County Courthouse. Menard faces a maximum life sentence in prison if convicted of second-degree murder in the case. Prosecutors recently added third degree-murder to the list of charges Menard faces, along with two counts of attempted second-degree murder and two counts of armed trespass. Manuel Martinez/Staff.